What Is CRLA Certification? CRLA stands for the College Reading and Learning Association. The CRLA encourages colleges and universities to submit their in-house tutor training curriculum to their International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC). If the curriculum meets the ITTPC's rigorous standards, the tutoring center receives CRLA certification.
In July of 2025, Molloy University Learning Services, comprised of the Learning Commons and Writing Center, received the CRLA’s ITTPC Level 1 certification, which recognizes that our tutor training curriculum has met its international standards for effective, ethical, and inclusive tutoring practices. Certification ensures tutors are well-prepared to support student success. It is also a valuable credential for students to add to their resumes or portfolios.
At level (Level 1), tutors are not expected to have knowledge about tutoring, only knowledge in their content areas. Most Level 1 topics can be learned in conjunction with actual tutoring, in accordance with CRLA standards and ITTPC guidelines. This provides tutors with the opportunity to reflect on their training while conducting tutoring.
For students who may be interested in becoming a CRLA certified tutor, please contact Courtney Dalfoso at 516.323.3307 or email cdalfonso@molloy.edu.
Why CRLA Certification Matters
Provides nationally recognized credentials for tutors.
Enhances the quality of support services provided by Learning Services.
Validates the professional development of peer tutors.
Supports future Level 2 & 3 CRLA certifications.
Tutor Selection Criteria
We follow CRLA approved selection and hiring criteria.
Tutors must be second year students (minimum), in good academic standing as determined by CRLA standards, and have a B+ or better in content courses. (We prefer A-/As).
For writing tutors, at least an A- in College Composition is required or AP equivalent.
Tutors must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and provide a resume and copy of their transcript before interviews are scheduled.
Writing tutors must include a writing sample.
Tutor interest is strong, with many students applying after hearing about the opportunity through our current peer tutors.
Training
Under our certification, Learning Services must provide at least 10 hours of training.
We are required to train tutors on at least 10 of the ITTPC required topics for at least 30 minutes per topic (many of ours are 60 minutes). The topics we chose were as follows:
At least five hours of training must be in-person, interactive, and trainer-led. Leaning Services' certified trainers are Courtney Dalfonso, Senior Director of Learning Services and Patricia Rossi, Learning Commons Professional Tutor.
All topics consist of structured lesson plans that must align with CRLA standards, outcomes, and assessments.
Experience
Each tutor must complete 25 hours of tutoring in addition to the 10 training topics to receive their CRLA certificate.
For most students, this process takes no more than a semester to complete.
Evaluation
Tutors must demonstrate proficiency in all selected areas through documented assessments, which consist of:
Attendance and participation in training sessions
Trainer-led session logs
Tutors are evaluated after the completion of each academic year using the CRLA approved Tutor Evaluation Form, which helps to determine continued employment.
How Faculty Can Help
If faculty know of a student meeting these criteria, we would be happy to meet with them to discuss the program.
Let students in your classes know that walk-in tutoring is available.
Consider scheduling a class visit to the Learning Commons so students become familiar with the space and its offerings.